WCSCC hosting SkillsUSA Ohio North Central Regional

There is a solution to the current and future demand for a skilled workforce. Jobs are available in Ohio; they are waiting for people with the right skills. Those people are graduating from career and technical education programs.

The future workforce of Ohio will be on display at the SkillsUSA Ohio North Central Regional competitions to be held at the Wayne County Schools Career Center in Smithville on Friday, Feb. 16.

Career and technical education students from schools across the region will compete in contests demonstrating their skills in career areas including manufacturing, transportation, construction, hospitality and human services. The SkillsUSA North Central Region includes Ashland, Cuyahoga, Holmes, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne counties.

“These students are demonstrating more than just their skills; they are proving that our workforce is prepared to lead the way in every technical area our country needs to maintain a strong global economic presence,” said Warren Caskey, SkillsUSA co-adviser for WCSCC. “CTE is learning that works for America, and we are very proud of this talented group of students who are true champions dedicated to excellence in their trades.”

During the competition students will work against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations such as electronics, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, automotive service, medical assisting and culinary arts. All contests are run with the help of industry experts, trade associations and labor organizations, and test competencies are set by professional industry standards.

The winners will go on to compete in the Ohio SkillsUSA State Championships this April in Columbus.

SkillsUSA is a nonprofit partnership of education and industry founded in 1965 to strengthen the nation’s skilled workforce. Driven by employer demand, SkillsUSA helps students develop necessary personal and workplace skills along with technical skills grounded in academics. For more information about SkillsUSA Ohio, visit www.ohioskillsusa.org.